Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are native to North America and one of the most popular wildflowers grown. They tend to blanket open fields, often surprising the passerby with their golden-yellow beauty.
Members of the aster family, Asteraceae, the “black eye” is named for the dark, brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. The plants can grow to over 3 feet tall, with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long, and flowers with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches.
Butterflies, bees, and a variety of insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow fruits and seeds that can move about easily with the wind.
These plants bloom from June to October. Note that they can be territorial in that they tend to squash out other flowers growing near them.
Black-eyed Susans are good for cut flowers; they also work well for borders or in containers.
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I want to have pots of black
I want to have pots of black eyed susans at my daughter's wedding on Sept 27 in southern Maryland. When should I plant the seeds so that they are mature and ready to display or cut for the wedding?
look at the back of seed
look at the back of seed packets and it will tell you the "days to maturity" from seeding to harvest. since weather conditions are unpredictable, you might want to stagger plantings--before and after--in hopes that you hit the wedding right.
I am trying to establish a
I am trying to establish a new BES flower bed in an area that formally contained Bishop weed. I already have a large overgrown area that is full of BES. Can I plant the seed heads from the existing plants and expect them to grow, or do I need to divide the whole plant and move to my new bed thanks!!!
Plants that produce seed
Plants that produce seed heads are among the most difficult from which to harvest seed, according to our source. Black-eyed Susan is one of these.
It is not advisable to plant the seed head. The recommended method is to remove the seeds from the head and store them in a cool, dry environment until next spring or summer. Then plant them.
If you choose to divide the plants instead (or in addition), do it in the spring or next fall.
Concerning your
Concerning your recommendation for harvesting the seeds of black eyed susans, can you tell me if the seeds will still be good in the spring if left outside for the winter? Thanks
Get a plant at a nursery.
Get a plant at a nursery. After the first year they will proliferate if the mulch/soil is good. (I use chips from the tree choppers and save thousands.) Don't forget the many kinds - all yellow, regular and magenta.
Hi, I am new at this whole
Hi, I am new at this whole gardening stuff. My BES are looking very dead. They are very brown and dead. =) I've been told and have read to cut the steams back. Is that all I need to do or do I need to cute more like down to the ground. I am temted to just take the whole plant out and start over with something new. but if I can still save these I guess I should. Please help. Thank you
Black-eyed Susans will indeed
Black-eyed Susans will indeed "die down" in the fall. You can cut them down to the ground. They'll regrow.
I was given a beautiful lush
I was given a beautiful lush black eyed susan plant. I had it on my porcha and watered it regularly. Now it is all dead and dry. Flowers are long gone. If I plant this in the ground before frost will it come up next year? I live in CT. Any comments are welcome. Thank you.
It's normal for black eyed
It's normal for black eyed Susans to die back in the fall. Put your plant in the ground as soon as possible and water until the ground freezes. It should come back nicely next year.
Hello, I received a hanging
Hello, I received a hanging pot of Black Eyed Susans for a wedding gift. They've been doing well with being watered once a day and hanging on our porch. I live in Missouri and the fall/frost season is nearly upon us now. What is the best way to transplant them into a regular plant pot so they can come inside?
Also, should I expect it to stop blooming in the winter, even if it is indoors?
Thank you
We would normally recommend
We would normally recommend that any cold hardy perennial be pulled from the container in the fall and planted in the ground before it freezes. Some gardeners put the entire container in the ground for the winter, but the container must be heeled into the ground to protect the roots which tend to be less cold hardy. Water well and cover with lots of mulch until spring.
Can I plant my black eyed
Can I plant my black eyed Susan seeds now? I live in the NE and also want to know f I can plant them behind my young hibiscus tree without them compromising it? Also can I plant some behind my hostas???
Plant Black-eyed Susans when
Plant Black-eyed Susans when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F for best seed germination. In many parts of North America, the planting period is March to May. The flower will flower June to September. Germination takes 7 to 30 days. In general, Black-eyed Susans mix very well with most perennials, shrubs, and plants. Note that they can be territorial in that they tend to squash out other flowers growing near them so keep them in control and don't crowd them.
Recently, I was given some
Recently, I was given some black-eyed susan seeds. When should I plant them for best results? I live in the area between Atlanta and Athens, Georgia.
In Georgia, sow black-eyed
In Georgia, sow black-eyed susans by seed in loosely covered soil that is fertile (so add organic matter if needed). They are sun lovers so plant them in a place that receives full sun. After the first season, they can reseed themselves. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew fungi, so begin an organic antifungal program if the lower leaves turn brown and twisted. Make sure you don't crowd them as they need some air circulation. Keep the soil moist and water at the ground level not on their leaves and petals. Check with your local garden center for sprays that are approved in your area.
My sister wants some of my
My sister wants some of my black-eyed susan that are taking over the back yard! What is the best way to dig some up to give to her? What is the best time & any other hints for successful transplant? Thanks for any suggestions!
Divide black-eyed susans in
Divide black-eyed susans in the early fall while the soil is still warm but the nights are getting cool. Make sure the transplant area is nicely prepped with compost and that it will drain water well.
If I want to control the
If I want to control the height of my Rudbeckia can I cut them back before they flower?
Yes, you can cut the
Yes, you can cut the black-eyed susans, even down to the ground when the foliage reaches about a foot or two in height. They regrow quickly and it makes for a more compact plant that's at a more reasonable height.
I love my blackyed susan
I love my blackyed susan plants. I have a question about a variety that came up this year. The plant is very tall and the stems are thin with many blooms on each stem. Is this a wild variety?
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) have a solitary flower head. It is not this plant. It's really hard to say without a photo!
Neighbor was getting rid of
Neighbor was getting rid of his black eye susan plants in one area they had taken over. He gave them to me I planted and have been watering them twice a day yet they are all looking dead ? Do I cut them back and hope they will come back next Spring?
Watering twice a day is too
Watering twice a day is too much for most plants, certainly for this drought-tolerant beauty. (Drought-tolerant means that it can go long periods without water.) Our sources suggest that it thrives in hot, dry environments but like all—ok, most—living things, appreciates a splash once in a while. Deadheading after flowering can result in more (smaller) blooms. Cutting back to the highest green leaf after the first frost in your area is acceptable but not essential. The flower seeds heads provide food for birds.
We hope this helps!
My black eyed susans bloomed
My black eyed susans bloomed beautifully and grew to about 3 feet in height. I see that if I "cut them back" they may rebloom in the fall - silly question - how far do I cut them "back"? Do I cut them so only a small stem is sticking out of the ground? Please help and sorry for my ignorance!
Good question. When they get
Good question. When they get a bit "ratty," we cut them down half way or even lower, and they will often grow a whole second set of blooms in the fall.
Have my blackened Susan's on
Have my blackened Susan's on my deck in pots, doing well until this morning..now they are very droopy...did I give them too much water or too much sun..we did have a few days of rain
They often get droopy in the
They often get droopy in the afternoon from the heat of the sun and perk up in the morning. Keep them perkier by watering deeply in the morning and only as often as needed (when about the top inch of soil is only slightly moist) to encourage your plants to send down deep roots.
Our first year of Black Eyed
Our first year of Black Eyed Susans is a terrific success. On some of the flowers, I've noticed a green-like growth coming out of the black eyes. What is that?
How do you harvest seeds from
How do you harvest seeds from the plant? Is it from the dark center? Do you let it dry?
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